Last year marked the first time since the common draft began in 1967 that no running back was selected in Round 1. The two drafts before that saw one back taken in the first 27 picks: Trent Richardson, whom the Cleveland Browns traded 17 months after drafting him third overall.

The trend figures to continue with the backs considered this year’s best — starting with Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde and Washington’s Bishop Sankey — considered late first-round picks and more likely to come off the board in the second round.

“I don’t really understand why everybody is bringing up this devaluing of the running back position,” Hyde said.

The strong rookie seasons of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Giovani Bernard (drafted 37th overall last year) and the Green Bay Packers’ Eddie Lacy (drafted 61st) should help this year’s top backs, said Hyde, who ran for 3,198 yards and scored 41 touchdowns over four college seasons.

“They say the NFL is a pass-happy league now. I do a great job of catching, a great job of picking up blitzers, recognizing defenses,” Hyde said. “I feel like I’m a complete running back. I definitely feel like I’m a first-round talent.”

But possessing the talent might not be enough anymore. The Atlanta Falcons, who worked out Hyde last week and will host him this week, surely aren’t taking him at No. 6 but could be interested with their second-round pick (No. 37).

“Honestly, I wish it was different. I wish it was like how it used to be,” Sankey said. “Maybe I’m biased, but I think running back is a very valuable position.”

Marshawn Lynch’s role in the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl run can’t be underestimated either. It remains possible to build the offense of a championship team around a featured back. But the way the league is trending is obvious, even to those who intend to make a career running the ball.

Teams are figuring out they can stockpile backfield options later in the draft and supplement their draft chart through bargain free agents, including some high draft picks who ran out of opportunities with their old teams for one reason or another.

“Having a running back, especially later on in the season, is very important,” Sankey said.

Cream of the Crop

Name: Carlos Hyde

School: Ohio State

Height: 6-0

Weight: 230

Scouting report: Physical, highly productive back who racked up 3,469 yards from scrimmage and 41 TDs over four college seasons. Played with renewed fire and made a difference last season after returning from a three-game ban for a bar incident that didn’t result in charges.

Insider’s take: “Excellent after-contact runner — that’s where his bread and butter is. He’s not going to be a dynamic (receiver), but catches it well enough. I don’t think that’s a strong suit of his. He’s going to be more of a first-, second-down (back) and then obviously in the four-minute drill, that’s where he’s going to make his money.” — NFC scout